Email: Is working doubly as hard effective? (Spain)
A thought, a flight’s analogy. Plane’s late? Captain: ‘flight’s behind schedule, will try to make up lost time’. Familiar scenario? Can the pilots actually make up time? It’s hugely dependant on several factors & smart efforts.
To speed up time, we can imagine the pilot simply stepping on the gas? But, it doesn’t quite work that way. Aircraft are designed to cruise within a fairly small speed bracket. Fly at the fastest economical speed. Going above the speed range needs much more power from the engines to overcome the increase in drag (aero-dynamic force generated by & opposing the plane). Needs more fuel, one of the costliest expense for an airline.
At times, the expense of burning extra fuel is worth it – prevents major disruptions or missed flight connections. Costs the airline a lot. But, it’s not just the cost to an airline, the cost to our environment, as well. Often, pilots adjust altitudes for calmer weather, where the head-winds may be less strong.
Apart from the speed, another factor in the pilot’s control is the route. Flight plans are set for the most efficient routes. But, pilots can ask for tactical shortcuts or direct routings to shave off time. Pilot’s play with wind speed, tail or head winds & navigation to make a difference.
Surprisingly though, the biggest efforts, the human-controlled time gains are made on the ground where the most delays occur – getting on & off the plane quickly, no taxiing delays for take-off & landing or getting to parking gates promptly! we can chose the most suitable, efficient & effective combinations while working.
